Lindenwood University and Florissant Valley Community College have entered into a unique partnership to help students achieve a bachelor’s degree with teacher certification in industrial technology--the only such bachelor’s degree program in the St. Louis region.

Representatives from both schools signed an articulation agreement today that allows students to achieve an associate’s degree in technology education and complete their bachelor’s degree at Lindenwood, which will provide teacher certification in industrial technology education.

“Not only is this unique because of the public-private partnership, but this helps meet a tremendous community need,” said Lindenwood President Dennis Spellmann. “There is a significant shortage of teachers in this area.”

School superitendents from across the region already are praising the program.

“In recent years, teachers from this discipline have easily been the most difficult to recruit and retain,” said Fort Zumwalt School District Superitendent Bernard J. DuBray. “It is the highest need teaching area in the Midwest.”

Spellmann said he has been interested in such a program for some time, but it was cost prohibitive because industrial technology equipment is so expensive. He said this program allows students the use of the best equipment for training, and now gives them a chance to earn a bachelor’s degree instead of an associate’s.

For more information on the program, call Dr. Richard Boyle at 949-4477.